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USNS Impeccable Deploys Passive Sonar While Underway

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS060307-07
3/7/2006

By Journalist 3rd Class Barry Hirayama, Fleet Support Detachment Yokosuka, Japan Public Affairs

USNS IMPECCABLE, At Sea (NNS) -- USNS Impeccable (T-AGOS 23), operating in the Pacific Ocean, deployed their passive sonar collecting undersea data during a February underway period.

Deploying Impeccable’s passive sonar array takes the concerted efforts of three distinct groups of Sailors aboard - the merchant marines, surveillance towed array sensor system operations (SOC) technicians, and U.S. Navy sonar technicians.

The merchant marines operate, navigate and provide all the maintenance of the ship while the SOC techs are responsible for the sonar itself. They handle the maintenance of the sonar and the operational equipment that the Navy sonar technicians use to gather the data.

“It’s a great relationship working with the Navy,” said Mark Paine, master of Impeccable. “They are great shipmates to have aboard.”

The sonar technicians handle the data gathered by the sonar and report any contacts that are of interest to the area of operation’s sub-surface commander.

“It’s not too often as a Sailor you are exclusively doing what you’re trained to do on this kind of unique platform,” said Sonar Technician Surface 2nd Class (SW) Alex Cole.

Impeccable is a player in a very large architecture of the Navy’s anti-submarine warfare, said Chief Warrant Officer Richard Linsowe, officer in charge aboard Impeccable.

“The data collected by Impeccable gives the fleet commanders the ability to put together a larger plan for other operational forces,” he said.

The mission that Impeccable and other ocean surveillance ships do falls in line with the Sea Shield initiative by sustaining access for maritime trade, coalition building, and military operations. It also contributes to extending the U.S. homeland defense via forward presence and networked intelligence.

Impeccable’s mission allows the Sailors aboard to gain specialized skills and provide crucial information to the joint warfighter.

"It’s good to be playing a part in the bigger picture," said Sonar Technician Surface Seaman Justin R. Szadkowski.

Impeccable is one of five Ocean Surveillance Ships that are part of the 24 ships in Military Sealift Command's Special Mission Ships Program. Impeccable currently operates out of Yokohoma, Japan.